About this Site

Emilie Davis was an African-American woman living in Philadelphia during the U.S. Civil War. This website is a transcription of Emilie’s three pocket diaries for the years 1863, 1864, and 1865. In them, she recounts black Philadelphians’ celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, nervous excitement during the battle of Gettysburg, and their collective mourning of President Lincoln. The diary allows readers to experience the war in real time, as events unfolded for Civil War Americans. Read More...

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May 15-17, 1864

May, SUNDAY, 15, 1864.

quite an april day it has bin showering every little while I went to church in the morning we had a very good sermon but i did not enJoy it much as i had the toothach the girls came up

MONDAY, 16.

there was quite a growing riot last night the boyes was in it John and vincent i have not bin well all day i went down to mr livelys but I did not go to school my tooth woud not

TUESDAY, 17.

let me i suffered very much last night with my face i have not bin able to to anything Nell came before waiting i was so sory i could not go

Annotation 1

Advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer for dental services.

Emilie’s toothache persisted until May 18, 1864. The 19th century witnessed the founding of the first dental college, first dental journal, and first dental society. The American Dental Convention was founded in Philadelphia in 1855. It promoted education and research in all aspects of the dental industry. It is unclear what caused Emilie’s tooth pain, but if it was the result of a cavity, there were many materials used for fillings that are far less common today. Dentists were still experimenting with fillings such as platinum, silver, asbestos, aluminum, amalgam – the most popular during the war – and tin. Glenner and Willey, “Dental Filling Materials,” 71-75.

Annotation 2

A riot broke out in Philadelphia at Seventh and Little Pine streets, involving men and women. Those involved armed themselves with razors and threw bricks. What precipitated the riot is unknown. The Daily Age (Philadelphia) May 17, 1864.